West Bromwich Albion clinched their second confirmation of staying in the Sky Bet Championship within a single week after they managed to hold promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town to a goalless draw at The Hawthorns on Saturday. The draw was more than just a point; it represented a lifeline for a side that had just been penalised with a two‑point deduction for breaching the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. That sanction, imposed on Friday evening, left the Baggies mathematically exposed to the threat of relegation with only two fixtures remaining in the campaign.
Despite the looming danger, the point earned at home meant that West Brom could no longer be overtaken by the bottom‑placed side, Oxford United, who were consequently confirmed as relegated. Charlton Athletic also secured their safety with a win over Hull City earlier that day, further easing the pressure on the Hawthorns side. For Ipswich, the stalemate propelled them back into second place in the table, keeping the pressure on their rivals Southampton, who they are scheduled to meet on Tuesday evening. Both clubs remain locked in a fierce battle for the automatic promotion spots, and every point is now crucial.
The match itself offered a handful of genuine chances, though none were decisive. The first noteworthy attempt came when West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakité tried a speculative long‑range effort from about 25 yards out. Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton had to make two saves to keep the ball out of his net.
Just five minutes later, a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipré and Walton allowed Ipswich striker Daryl Dike to find space inside the box, but the visiting keeper recovered quickly and blocked the shot with his legs. Later, another ex‑West Brom player, Darnell Furlong, generated a moment of danger for his former club. He struck a low drive from the edge of the area, but the ball ricocheted off his own teammate Ivan Azón and drifted wide of the far post. The most promising opening of the first half came when Jacob Greaves delivered a deep cross to Kasey McAteer on the far side of the penalty area.
McAteer’s connection was imperfect, and the ball fell to Azón, who attempted a powerful finish from inside the six‑yard box but sent it over the crossbar. West Brom came close to taking the lead just before the break. Danny Imray sent a right‑wing delivery that spun into the path of Aune Heggebø, who turned and struck the ball, only to see it sail just wide of the far post. Shortly after, Alex Mowatt combined with Dike in a quick one‑two on the edge of the area, prompting Walton to make a low‑driven save.
The second half began with Ipswich pressing more aggressively. Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right flank, delivering a low ball that Dike curled towards goal, but Walton produced a superb reflex save to keep the score level.
A long throw from Furlong was flicked on by Greaves, yet Jack Clarke, finding space at the back post, completely missed the chance, leaving the visitors frustrated. As the half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession and create more clear‑cut chances.
With about 20 minutes left, Max O'Leary mishandled a curling strike from substitute Jaden Philogene. The rebound fell to Kipré, who headed it home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The moment highlighted the fine margins that have defined West Brom's survival campaign.
Manager Kieran McKenna, seeking to inject fresh impetus, introduced Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench. Their arrival added urgency, but the Baggies' defence held firm, denying Ipswich any further breakthroughs. After the final whistle, West Brom captain James Morrison reflected on the drama: "We had a cloud hanging over us, and it finally lifted.
We knew exactly where we stood after the points deduction, but we focused on the football. The lads were in a good headspace, so we just kept going. It helped us because we understood what we needed to do. We talked to the players over dinner at the training ground, but I didn’t have to say much – they made it clear they were ready.
After about the 70th minute I could feel the momentum shift. The substitutes brought fresh energy, and my staff kept reminding me that a single point was enough.
The players gave everything on the pitch. I want to stay unbeaten, and the lads feel the same. We'll have a day off tomorrow and Monday, then come back ready to finish the season strong.
We'll reflect at the end, work hard to get things right, and I’ll stay with the squad until the season's end. I’m looking forward to a nice beer tonight." Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna also shared his thoughts: "It was a hard‑earned point. The game was tough for many reasons, and the first half showed they had more momentum and energy.
We had to weather some pressure and getting a 0‑0 at halftime was vital – we haven’t been good enough away from home this season. There were moments of resilience, especially a crucial save from Christian. In the second half we moved the ball better, pressed earlier, and in the last half‑hour we were the side pushing for a win.
Whether it’s a good point, I’ll know next weekend. It's a brutal league. West Brom are a strong side – they’re on a ten‑game unbeaten run with seven clean sheets.
The conditions weren’t ideal; the pitch was uneven and the heat made it bumpy, which made quality football difficult. A point on a day like today is something we can build on." The match also featured promotional elements, with a £250,000 prize up for grabs in the Super 6 competition, free to enter until 3 pm on Saturday.
Overall, the draw ensured West Brom's safety, gave Ipswich a vital boost in their promotion push, and set the stage for a decisive showdown with Southampton later in the week.